OMD: Shortcut to HDR?

On my Canon DSLRs I had 3 custom "modes" on the dial that I could configure. I had one set up for Aperture Priority HDR. It put it in AV mode, turned burst shooting on, and set the bracketing to 3 shots @ 2 stops.

That was really nice because I don't shoot may of them, so I really enjoyed a quick dial turn to go between that and whatever my "normal" shooting mode happened to be (usually manual or AV).

With all the button customization on the OMD, has anyone come up with a way to cut down on the number of steps and the amount of menu digging to switch back and forth between these 3 HDR properties and... whatever?

On my Canon DSLRs I had 3 custom "modes" on the dial that I could configure. I had one set up for Aperture Priority HDR. It put it in AV mode, turned burst shooting on, and set the bracketing to 3 shots @ 2 stops.

That was really nice because I don't shoot may of them, so I really enjoyed a quick dial turn to go between that and whatever my "normal" shooting mode happened to be (usually manual or AV).

With all the button customization on the OMD, has anyone come up with a way to cut down on the number of steps and the amount of menu digging to switch back and forth between these 3 HDR properties and... whatever?

Click to expand...

Are you using the My Sets? It's a confusing name and there's still a little menu digging, but it works nicely.

The E-PL5 goes further and allows you to assign a myset to a position on the mode dial (eg the SCN position which surely NO-ONE with such a capable camera would ever use!). Alas, the OMD does not allow this. It takes 5 button presses to get there - sigh.

exposure bracketing can be assigned to the custom back button. However you have to both hold down the button and the shutter at the same time for it to work. Keep the shutter button down until the camera takse all 3 (or 5) pictures and it will then stop. Best to use the highest FPS setting for this.

exposure bracketing can be assigned to the custom back button. However you have to both hold down the button and the shutter at the same time for it to work. Keep the shutter button down until the camera takse all 3 (or 5) pictures and it will then stop. Best to use the highest FPS setting for this.

Click to expand...

This is doable. I used this setup on my E-pl5 for a while, but it was quite awkward in practice. Fortunately my camera allows me to assign one of the modes (SCN for my, I'd never use this myself) to a Myset. OM-D doesn't allow this, but the position of the assignable buttons may be better. On my little PEN, it was awkward to use.

This is doable. I used this setup on my E-pl5 for a while, but it was quite awkward in practice. Fortunately my camera allows me to assign one of the modes (SCN for my, I'd never use this myself) to a Myset. OM-D doesn't allow this, but the position of the assignable buttons may be better. On my little PEN, it was awkward to use.

P.

Click to expand...

OP has and OMD. I also wish they would allow assignment of mysets to the dial like the epl5.

My E-PL5 has a separate setting for HDR Bracketing. Up to 2 EV steps, I believe up to 7 exposures.

It also differs from normal bracketing in that it locks focus and aperture at the first exposure to assure better fit of resulting shots (yes changes in aperture and focus will very slightly change the size of the resulting image, not a lot, but enough to prevent pixel-for-pixel fit).

Works great. I have my mode dial set so "SCN" will instantly give me a 5 exposure (2EV) HDR set.

Thanks Dave. Before I go an buy the OM-D I would still like to find out if the E-PL or E-PM models can do something like + - 2EV and at least 3 frames.

Click to expand...

As Paul said, the E-PL5 has special HDR bracketing modes in the Bracketing menu, which can in turn be assigned to unused mode dial positions. I have mine assigned to the "Scene" mode position which I never use (just like Paul, lol).

Basically, you set up your HDR settings and save them in a "MySet" memory. Then you can use the Button/Dial menu to assign a MySet to a mode dial position. You then have instant access to HDR mode. On the E-M5 I have to go to the menu and select MySet2 which is my HDR -- not so bad but the E-PL5 makes it easy. Even my little LX7 has programmable mode dial positions and I have C1 positions set up for HDR.

I do wish the E-M5 has such flexibility. To get 2EV brackets I shoot the E-M5 in 5 shot, 1EV mode and take the brightest, darkest and normal shot for HDR.

Much more flexibility in the E-M5 and I prefer it for HDR all else being equal -- but I'd still like those modes in the E-M5.

Links in this page may be to our affiliates. Sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.